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The rhythm of the Jesus Youth Teens May 2007 Chalo Nagaland, the first teen mission to the North East of India, had 19 vibrant teenagers and 9 supporting leaders from the states of Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. They were accompanied by Sr Icey DSHJ and Sr Filomine FMM. The outreach from April 10th to 30th included three days of training at the pilgrimage centre, Bandel Church (Kolkata) in areas like mission life, evangelization, etc. The teens were trained to conduct programmes, lead prayer meetings and to challenge the naga teens with their testimonies. With this they left to Dimapur and from there to the mission destination Kohima, which is also the place where the Bishop's house is situated. The entire group stayed in local Catholic families and was divided amongst the three different parishes in Kohima city. During the day time, they visited schools conducting programmes of one or two hour duration for the children and the evenings were spent in interaction with the local youth. They visited some villages as a day’s visit and spent the night there. On 22nd, the youth of Kohima put up a cultural programme for our teens.
The youth of Kohima City (Nagaland) welcome the Jesus Youth teens.
On their way back, the group also stopped at Diphu (Assam) and visited the schools and met up with the youngsters of that place. They then returned to Bandel for a time of evaluation and thanks giving and have now gone on to their own places to continue the mission that Jesus has put in each one of their hearts. Chalo Nagaland was a great experience in my life. I was very lonely and lacked true love before this. But now this mission has filled me with joy that drives my soul to do many things for Jesus. He has taken me into his arms, changed me and blessed me to share His Word. Allan David Kujur, Nagpur
BUILDING A ROCK FOUNDATION March 11th was dedicated as a 12- hour intercession day by the Teens Ministry of Mangalore. The day spent in Fathima Retreat Centre started off with Holy Mass offered by the Director of the Centre for the general public. The Blessed Sacrament was exposed soon after. While the Teens team of Mangalore was present throughout, a few parents and other Jesus Youth leaders joined them in between. Nearly 30-40 people came that day to intercede for the teenagers. The special hours of grace ended with an adoration led by Mangalore teen, Jennifer and Br. Rodney Pereira, during which the teen leaders also renewed their commitment. March 3rd was celebrated as Teens intercession day by the Teens Ministry of Chennai. About 18 students studying in 9th and 11th along with other teen leaders gathered together at St Bede's Anglo Indian School and had a fun filled time of games and music. An hour was then spent in the school chapel in adoration and intercession, when all the teens prayed for their families, seniors, exams and many other intentions. This was followed by tea during which a prayer partner was selected for each of the teens and all went back with a thirst to deepen their prayer life.
I want to share my joy of being in God's love to all out there!!! That's what inspired me to take up this Challenge. I had a great time sharing my experiences to the teens who are of my own age. I met Jesus at every moment of this mission outreach. And now my zeal to proclaim His kingdom is greater than ever before. Selna Saji, Kerala
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The rhythm of the Jesus Youth Teens May 2007
Beacon'07 was an initiative of the Jesus Youth of Trichy for the teachers of Trichy diocese. The programme which was conducted on March 24th at the Bishop's house had nearly 325 teachers participating. The meaning of Beacon is to 'Be a Conduit of God to the Next Generation'; conduit meaning the channel for virtues or values. The main resource for the programme was Dr. Edward Edezhath, International animator of Jesus Youth and also a professor at St. Albert's college, Ernakulam. Tinoy and Joe from JY Chennai provided the music for the day. Dr Edward through his sessions gave an awareness on the current teen trends and shared his own experience of value oriented teaching. In addition to speaking about the JY movement, he encouraged all present to follow the great teacher, Jesus. Paulson Jose coordinated the panel session wherein JY members shared their personal God experience and witnessing life. Fr.Venney led a beautiful time of adoration during which he gave some reflections on the duties of teachers and also prepared them for the lenten season through the Holy Mass. This new initiative has definitely come as a great blessing for the Jesus Youth of Trichy with the overwhelming response of the teachers following the programme.
The Jesus Youth of Rajkot came together to put up a one- day programme for about 21 teenagers of Nirmala Convent School, Rajkot.
We started off by explaining how action songs were different from the regular songs or hymns that we sing and began with the ice-breaking numbers like Who gives the faith..., Tony Chestnut (Toe knee chest nut)..., Sherea la la lo..., etc. We then went on to a sort of interview in which one teen who attended Magnificat in Ahmedabad last October was asked about her experiences with God. Next a story was shared about a boy whose blood (blood group) alone saved the whole of America from a
dreaded and otherwise incurable disease, and how when all people gathered to felicitate his parents for their sacrifice, they discussed only about the latest fashion and trends. This story was shared to help them understand the significance of the Holy Mass. We also put up a skit with the theme of "Jesus is the secret of my energy�. Later our coordinator, Alan, gave a small talk on prayer and its importance citing our examples. The programme ended with a small sharing on the Jesus Youth Movement and its various ministries.
A retreat was organised in Agra from March 29th to 31st for children from class 8 to 12. About 84 children from nearby parishes attended the retreat and were greatly touched . Apart from talks by Fr. Prem, Subin, Rollins, Anto and Reshma, adoration and Holy Mass were also celebrated daily. Fr. Dabre, Fr. Raphe and Fr. Moon were the main celebrants for the three days respectively. They were instrumental in creating a wonderful atmosphere of prayer.
Each day had a theme on which the talks, workshops and even the homily were based. Inner healing adoration lead by Fr. Prem worked wonders and was praised by one and all. What kept the children on their toes for the three days was the vibrant music by Anil (Coorg). Not one of them The teen participants filled with the could sit without dancing for the Lord. At the end everyone Spirit are now planning out the requested that another retreat be conducted with more conception of the Teens Ministry here than three days and each teen had a smile which in Rajkot. conveyed a promise to change. Thanks to the efforts and - Crisenta, Rajkot determination of two youngsters, Bright and Roseline!
z Based on the theme of 'a new generation with a new lifestyle', 850 teens gathered at Devamatha School, Thrissur to celebrate the Kerala Teens Meet from April 9th to 11th. With the programme inaugurated by the Archbishop of Thrissur Diocese, Bishop Andrews Thazhath and sessions led by Br Elvis Kotturan, Br Sasi Emmanuel, Br Saji and Br Joshy MA, it were days packed with God, love and joy. Neither did the summer heat nor the steps to get to the auditorium on the 3rd floor stop the teens from giving their all to Jesus. So go on teens, keep the fire burning‌
Training to be held at St Paul’s School,Udaipur, Rajasthan. For more details call Anto Jose (0)9312070199/ Sanu Thomas (0)9414500082.
The rhythm of the Jesus Youth Teens
150 participants from class 8, 9, 10 and 11 gather for zonal gathering, SPA in Kanjirapally, Kerala from April 26th to 30th.
Delighted girls of Dehradun CJM Dehradun organised a special two- day residential retreat for about 26 of its students between the age of 11 and 17. Subin, Anto, Feroz and Deepali were there to give the different sessions and share lively anecdotes, talks and personal experience. Adding colour to the retreat was the adoration hour where the girls surrendered themselves to the Lord by offering little symbols like flowers, leaves and pebbles. A candle light Rosary procession which culminated at the Grotto along with a video clipping on the assassination of Bishop Romero, of El Salvador in 1980, who was killed because he believed in Jesus touched each teen who went back with a strong desire and commitment to love the Lord all the days of their lives.
The teens of Mangalore organised a special 'Parent Teacher' programme on March 25th at Roshni Nilaya School of Social Work, Mangalore. This programme was basically held to gather the teachers and parents of those in Campus and Teens ministry and to tell them more about the Jesus Youth movement and to get their support. The 15 teachers and 10 parents who came participated whole heartedly. The resources for the day were Miss Hemalatha from Thrissur and Br. Vinod from Mysore. The director of St. Josephs Engineering College was the main celebrant for the mass and Fr. Baiju, National Teens Pastor was also present.
May 2007
The JY teens of Mangalore are busy preparing for Walky Talky (walk with God, talk about God). A three day programme for about 40 youth, it is being planned for the last week of May. The thrust of this programme is fun and exploration with Jesus. With special emphasis on music and sports during the programme, these days are definitely ready to be set apart in the lives of many teenagers.
Come May- mid and we have another outreach- a special week is being planned for about 30 teenagers from the different states of South India. With a few hours in the day dedicated to spiritual input and workshops, the remaining time will be spent among the parishioners of Pattom, a sea side community of Cherthala, Kerala.